ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Home Affairs
President of India to confer Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Awards for the year 2022 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind will confer two Padma Vibhushan, eight Padma Bhushan and 54 Padma Shri Awards for the year 2022, at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. Amongst the prominent awardees at today’s Investiture ceremony will be Padma Vibhushan recipients; Shri Radhey Shyam and General Bipin Rawat . Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Smt. Gurmeet Bawa , Shri N. Chandrasekharan, Shri Devendra Jhajharia, Shri Rashid Khan, Shri Rajiv Mehrishi, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and Shri Sachchidanand Swami who will receive the Padma Bhushan awards. The Civil Investiture Ceremony –II is scheduled to be held on March 28.
The Awards are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. These Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
The awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. This year a total of 128 Padma Awards are being conferred, including two duo case . The list of awardees comprises four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri Awards. 34 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 13 Posthumous awardees.
Prime Minister's Office
PM shares Shri Hardeep Puri's article
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared an article written by the Union Minister Shri Hardeep Puri.
The Prime Minister Office tweeted :
Union Minister @HardeepSPuri articulates how renewable energy along with traditional fuels is the key to India's energy security in Amrit Kaal... Do read!
President's Secretariat
President’s greetings on the eve of birthday of Guru Nanak Dev ji
The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu has greeted fellow-citizens on the eve of birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
In a message, the President has said, “On the sacred occasion of birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, I extend my heartiest greetings to all fellow citizens and Indian settled abroad, especially the brothers and sisters of Sikh community.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji spread the message of ‘Ek Omkar’ which means that God is one and is present everywhere. He inspired us to practise love, unity and brotherhood. We should adopt eternal values like truth, sacrifice and moral conduct from the teachings of ‘Japji Sahib’. The messages of ‘Kirat Karo’ and ‘Vand Chhako’ inspire us to live with honesty and share the available resources with others. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also gave the message of humility and service of mankind. His teachings will guide us towards peace & prosperity.
On this auspicious occasion let us adopt his teachings and move forward with spirit of well-being of the mankind”.
Please click here to see the President's message in Hindi
Ministry of Defence
‘Donate Blood - Save Lives’ - massive blood donation campaign by Southern Army Soldiers to Save Human Lives
In line with the ongoing series of events in the Southern part of the country in a run up to the Army Day events, Army formations/units deployed in various parts of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh undertook a massive blood donation drive on 24 December 2022. This humanitarian drive by Indian Army was undertaken in coordination with prominent civil hospitals and social organisations to ensure that the donated blood units reach the needy patients in time.
Organized under the theme of ‘Donate Blood - Save Lives’, these blood donation camps were conducted by Southern Command in the run up to the forthcoming 75th Army Day on 15 Jan 23. 7,500 units of blood was organised through voluntary donations and a data bank of 75,000 volunteers was compiled for blood donations in an emergency. The blood donation campaign saw an overwhelming response from Army personnel & their dependents, Civil Defence Employees, NCC cadets, College Students, Army Public School teachers and volunteers from all walks of life. These camps were organised in all major cities as well as remote areas across ten states in Southern Command area of responsibility.
In Pune, the blood donation campaign was undertaken at four locations to include Command Hospital Pune, Army Institute of Cardio Thoracic Sciences , Military Hospital Kirkee and Military Hospital Khadakwasla where approximately 700 units of blood was collected. The campaign at Pune was inaugurated by Lt Gen Manjit Kumar, Chief of Staff HQ Southern Command.
The list of places across Southern Command where the blood donation drive was organised is appended below:-
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State / UT
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Cities / Towns
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Maharashtra
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Mumbai, Pune, Kirkee, Khadakwasla, Dehu Road, Kamptee, Pulgaon, Ahmednagar, Devlali & Aurangabad.
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Goa
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Panji.
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Rajasthan
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Jodhpur, Nasirabad, Jaisalmer, Laungewala, Udaipur, Niwaru, Alwar, Mount Abu, Ajmer & Jalipa.
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Gujarat
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Gandhidham, Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Dharangdhara & Bhuj
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Madhya Pradesh
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Babina, Saugor, Dhana, Gwalior & Bhopal.
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Telangana
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Secunderabad & Hyderabad.
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Tamil Nadu
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Coimbatore, Chennai & Wellington.
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Kerala
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Thiruvananthapuram & Kannur.
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Karnataka
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Bengaluru & Belgavi.
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Uttar Pradesh
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Jhansi.
The event organised under the theme of ‘Donate Blood - Save Lives’, has contributed immensely to renew the Soldier-Citizen connect & reaffirmed the commitment of Indian Army to stand shoulder to shoulder with our citizen who require emergency infusion of blood. This noble gesture shall go a long way in motivating people from all sections of society, particularly the youth in their duty towards the society and participate in such activities which can save precious lives.
Senior military commanders of Formations / Units thanked the civilians for their immense contribution and making the event a grand success.
Ministry of Steel
RINL Organizes Seminar on “Increasing Steel Consumption: Steel Usage way Forward” at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant
Efforts Highlighted as Setting up Steel Fabrication Units in Rural Areas by Entrepreneurs
Rastriya Ispat Nigam Limited  has taken up several activities as part of Iconic Week being observed by Ministry of Steel starting from 4th to 10th July, 2022 as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
As part of Iconic Week Celebrations, a seminar on Increasing Steel Consumption: Steel Usage Way Forward” was organized by INSDAG under the aegis of RINL, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Wednesday.
The program was streamed live at HRD Centre, RINL, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant with the participation of 80 executives of RINL. In addition to this, 60 executives from 22 outstation marketing offices of RINL also participated.
Mr. Arijit Guha, Sr. Functionary from INSDAG gave a PPT presentation on the core activities of INSDAG and also explained the steps being taken by INSDAG in increasing steel consumption in semi urban and rural areas. The program ended with question and answer session, wherein the questions of the participants were answered by the resource persons.
The seminar dwelt primarily on the production/consumption of steel, reasons for low consumption of steel in India, steps taken to improve steel consumption and rural initiatives and other activities of INSDAG.
The seminar started with a sector-wise analysis of consumption of steel. Then it dealt with the factors responsible for the low consumption of steel in India and also the steps taken to improve it. The main activities of INSDAG and the technical services offered by them were highlighted.
As part of the rural initiatives for increasing the consumption of steel, the efforts were highlighted as Setting up Steel Fabrication Units in rural areas by entrepreneurs, organizing skill development programs identification of right projects to pursue so that there are definite gains in consumption of steel at the field level, taking up special projects to propagate the use of special steels like High Tensile/High Performance Steel, more industry-academia interaction through workshops and seminars.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Setting up of Poultry Hatchery and Rearing units under NERCORMP Phase III
North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society  is a registered society under the aegis of North Eastern Council  and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region , Govt. of India. The project named- Setting up of Poultry Hatchery and Rearing units under NERCORMP Phase III, which is implemented by NERCRMS, NEC, Govt. of India. The approved cost of the project is Rs. 998.00 lakhs and the NEC’s share is Rs. 998.00 lakhs. The project is located at Changlang, Longding and Tirap Districts of Arunachal Pradesh and Churachandpur and Chandel District of Manipur.It’s 100% ministry funded project.
The objective is to provide employment and income opportunities to the BPL families and hatchery and not so well-off households who otherwise fall under APL classification, to reduce the import of chicken meat from outside and to motivate the people of rural towards scientific poultry farming and hatchery through imparting training and exposure.
The output of the project will be establishment of poultry farms and hatchery units and its successful operations. The outcome would be a gainful employment of the rural poor thereby resulting in increase in income by at least 20% at household level.
MG/RNM/SB
Ministry of Finance
Last date for linking of PAN-Aadhaar extended
In order to provide some more time to the taxpayers, the date for linking PAN and Aadhaar has been extended to 30th June, 2023, whereby persons can intimate their Aadhaar to the prescribed authority for Aadhaar-PAN linking without facing repercussions. Notification to this effect is being issued separately.
Under the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961 every person who has been allotted a PAN as on 1st July, 2017 and is eligible to obtain Aadhaar Number, is required to intimate his Aadhaar to the prescribed authority on or before 31st March, 2023, on payment of a prescribed fee. Failure to do so shall attract certain repercussions under the Act w.e.f. 1st April, 2023. The date for intimating Aadhaar to the prescribed authority for the purpose of linking PAN and Aadhaar has now been extended to 30th June, 2023.
From 1st July, 2023, the PAN of taxpayers who have failed to intimate their Aadhaar, as required, shall become inoperative and the consequences during the period that PAN remains inoperative will be as follows:
- no refund shall be made against such PANs;
- interest shall not be payable on such refund for the period during which PAN remains inoperative; and
- TDS and TCS shall be deducted /collected at higher rate, as provided in the Act.
The PAN can be made operative again in 30 days, upon intimation of Aadhaar to the prescribed authority after payment of fee of Rs.1,000.
Those persons who have been exempted from PAN-Aadhaar linking will not be liable to the consequences mentioned above. This category includes those residing in specified States, a non-resident as per the Act, an individual who is not a citizen of India or individuals of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year.
It is stated that more than 51 crore PANs have already been linked with Aadhaar till date. PAN can be linked with Aadhaar by accessing the following link https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/pre-login/bl-link-aadhaar .
Ministry of Tourism
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Malta for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved signing of the Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Malta for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism. The MoU will be signed during the upcoming visit of the Vice President to Malta.
Salient Features:
Main objectives of the MoU are:
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- To encourage the quality destination of tourism industry in both countries;
- To increase tourist arrivals in both countries from the entire world through the territories of India and Malta;
- Promoting human resource development in tourism and travel-related industries in both countries;
- To contribute to a new tourism, offer, particularly through the promotion of natural and tangible, and intangible cultural heritage, the development of sustainable tourism and the use of information technologies; and
- To recognize that tourism is a means to foster relationship between peoples of the two countries.
Benefits:
This MoU will help the two parties in creating an institutional mechanism for enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector. It will also help India in increasing foreign tourist arrivals from Malta. This, in turn, will result in economic development and employment generation.
The MoU will create favourable conditions for long-term tourism cooperation for the mutual benefits of all stakeholders within the broader framework and areas of cooperation. It will also explore to incorporate the best practices in order to implement the measures that will realize its objectives.
Ministry of Finance
FM releases postage stamp to commemorate distinguished service and contribution of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in protecting the nation
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman formally released a postage stamp to commemorate the distinguished service and glorious contribution by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  in protecting the nation.
After releasing the stamp, the Union Finance Minister congratulated DRI on the excellent performance of its officers. She remarked that DRI continues to play an immense role in countering smuggling as well as in preserving the cultural heritage and environment of the country. The challenges faced by the organisation continue to grow with the adoption of innovative modes of smuggling and called for increasing the concerted efforts of DRI. She stressed on the critical need for training the officers of DRI in using technology and data analytics to be able to inspire confidence of its citizens and deter smugglers. Smt. Sitharaman congratulated all officers and staff of DRI on their commitment to duty and determined and collaborative efforts to counter smuggling activities in the country.
Besides the Finance Minister, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs; Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Revenue Secretary; Shri Pradipta Kumar Bisoi, Secretary, Department of Posts, and Members of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs and officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence were also present on the occasion.
About Directorate of Revenue Intelligence 
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  was constituted on 4th December, 1957 to function as an apex intelligence agency of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs to counter the menace of smuggling. Through the years, DRI has established itself as the premier intelligence agency commanding the trust of international and national agencies with its intelligence inputs on myriad subjects inter alia ranging from FICN, narcotics, gold, arms & ammunitions, wildlife, cultural heritage and commercial fraud. Over the years, the organisation has sought to reorient itself to new and emerging challenges, such as those relating to black money, money-laundering and narco-terrorism.
The DRI has also been designated as the lead agency for S-CORD, the national Anti-smuggling co-ordination centre. Being the apex anti-smuggling enforcement organisation and given its track record in collaborative endeavours, DRI is expected to carry along the Border agencies towards the common objective of thwarting smuggling activities that pose a grave threat to national security and economic well-being of the country.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Role of data in preserving the Himalayan Natural Resource highlighted at WIHG 54th Foundation day celebration
Member NITI Aayog Dr. V. K. Saraswat stressed on the role of data in preserving the Himalayan Natural Resource and the Himalayan way of Sustainable Economic Growth at a lecture organised yesterday.
“WIHG plays an important role for the development of Himalaya, and there should be a huge data bank, which can be useful for the policymakers of the Himalayan region,” said Dr. Saraswat, Member NITI Aayog and Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, at the lecture organised on the occasion of the 54th Foundation Day Lecture of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun .
The 54th foundation day of WIHG, Dehradun, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, GoI, was celebrated on June 29, 2021. Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Saraswat spoke on the Himalayan way of sustainable economic growth at the online lecture to mark the celebrations. The online lecture was attended by a number of participants, including young researchers, scientists, chairman, and members of governing body of WIHG have been participated in this talk.
Dr Saraswat elaborated on the various issues of the Himalayan region like Global warming/ climate change, growth of human population, forest fires and degradation, loss of biodiversity, unplanned urbanisation, ambitious development projects, and unsustainable tourism. He also proposed the solution of these issues through six interdependent approaches: empowerment of the people, rural development, and development of sectors by creating productive employment opportunities, maximising self-governance, augmenting infrastructure, and ensuring adequate flow of resources.
While Dr. Saraswat underlined the role played by WIHG in the development of the Himalaya and developing a huge data bank, which can be useful for the policymakers of the Himalayan region, Dr. Kalachand Sain, Director, WIHG, gave a brief about the work carried out by WIHG.
In this function, many awards like i.e., Prof. R.C. Mishra Award, Best paper award, and Best worker award were also announced.
Chief Guest and Speaker
Dr. V. K. Saraswat,
Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog and Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University
Ministry of Civil Aviation
liberalised policy guidelines for Flying Training Organisation 
30 international airports in the country are operational
India is one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world and is already the third largest domestic aviation market.
The Government is proactively supporting the aviation sector by providing a stable policy environment and incentivising competition led growth. In 2016, the Government released the National Civil Aviation Policy , which laid out the vision, mission and key objectives for the sector. The Government announced new Maintenance, Repair and Operations  guidelines on 01.09.2021 with a view to create a congenial atmosphere in the country for the development of the MRO industry for aircraft/ helicopters/ drones and their engines and other parts. These guidelines inter-alia provide for the allotment of land at Airports Authority of India  airports through call of open tenders without levy of any royalty or cess of whatsoever nature to MRO operators. Similarly, liberalised Flying Training Organisation  guidelines have been approved wherein the concept of airport royalty  has been abolished and land rentals have been significantly rationalised to encourage setting up of FTOs to address the shortage of pilots in the country. The Government has also formulated Helicopter Operation Policy to encourage helicopter operations creating demand and growth. Besides, both AAI and other PPP Airport Operators have embarked upon a Capex Plan of more than Rs.98,000 crore including around Rs.25,000 crore by AAI during 2019-24 for development /upgradation/modernisation of various brownfield airports and developing Greenfield Airports to meet the passenger growth and make air travel safer, comfortable and customer friendly.
At present, there are 30 international airports in the country including 3 international airports in Uttar Pradesh namely Kushinagar, Varanasi and Lucknow. Government of India has accorded 'in-principle' approval for setting up of international Greenfield Airports namely, Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh, Dholera and Hirasar in Gujarat, Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra and Noida  in Uttar Pradesh and they are under development.
The upgradation of infrastructures/facilities at airports is a continuous process, which is undertaken by the AAI or the concerned Airport Operators depending upon operational requirements, traffic demand, commercial feasibility etc. Moreover, Ministry of Civil Aviation launched Regional Connectivity Scheme  - UDAN  on 21-10-2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable for the masses. Under UDAN, 469 routes connecting 74 unserved and underserved airports including 9 Heliports & 2 water aerodromes have been operationalised as on 28.02.2023.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen.  V. K. Singh  in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
HONOURS AND AWARDS : INDEPENDENCE DAY 2021
Following gallantry awards have been conferred to Army personnel on the occasion of Independence Day-2021:-
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Ser No
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Award
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Number
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Remarks
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1.
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Shaurya Chakra
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06
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Citations Attached
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2.
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Bar to Sena Medal 
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04
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-
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3.
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Sena Medal 
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116
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Including fifteen posthumous.
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4.
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Mention-in-Despatches
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28
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Including three posthumous.
Attached file :-  List of Gallantry awardees 2021.
 Citations of Shaurya Chakra awardees 2021.
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SC/BSC/CKR
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